Got a Minute with Robyn Painter

Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6:10 p.m.

Mainstay Inc., which provides services to families affected by domestic violence, will be opening a restaurant called Dandelion in the coming weeks at 127 Fifth Ave. W. in Hendersonville. Its lone employee will be Robyn Painter. Painter will supervise six Mainstay clients working as interns. Working in the restaurant will allow Mainstay clients to develop an employment history and help them to transition back into the working world.

I received a bachelor's degree in health promotion and foods and nutrition from Appalachian State University. After graduating from ASU, I received an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts from AB Tech. I did my culinary externship at Mountain Aire Country Club in Burnsville. I went on to work as a chef at several area restaurants, including Mary Mills Coxe Inn, Cafe Laurie's and the Biltmore Estate. I also worked as a nutritionist for Henderson County's Women, Infant and Children program and WCCA's Head Start program. Most recently I was the director of nutritional services at a local health care facility.

How did you first connect with Mainstay and Dandelion?

I've known several friends and family members who have done volunteer work at Mainstay. A member of Mainstay's board contacted me about possibly opening an eatery that would also serve as a training facility for Mainstay's work-ready clients. I met with the executive director, Tanya Blackford, and her team to consult about the project. I loved the idea of an on-the-job training program in a functional restaurant where I could share my love of food and inspire others to see the value of hard work and pursuing your passion, so I jumped right in. We have been working together for several months now, conceptualizing and planning the Dandelion.

What kind of food can people expect at Dandelion?

Fresh, local, seasonal foods will be the highlight of our menu. We are planning on sourcing as much food as possible from local farmers and artisans. We will serve breakfast and lunch and will have salads, sandwiches, soup, wraps and baked goods available for patrons who want something to grab and go. Our menu will change according to what is seasonally available. We will also offer catering services, both on and off site.

What will be your job responsibilities?

I will be responsible for creating the daily menu, ordering food and supplies and other day-to-day operations. The other piece of my job responsibilities will include working one-on-one with our interns to develop a training program that is specific to each individual and will optimize their time at the Dandelion — training them to have the skills and confidence to enter the work force.

Dandelion won't be just a restaurant, correct?

The Dandelion will be an environmentally conscious, locally sourced eatery that is committed to helping Mainstay clients obtain the tools they need to find and secure lasting employment. Mainstay's mission is building safe, self-sufficient families through services and shelter. Mainstay's case managers and I will work hand-in-hand with clients to provide on-the-job training to women whose lives' have been affected by domestic violence. Our goal is to ultimately increase the number of safe, self-sufficient families in our community.

How important is this service that Mainstay will provide?

Research shows that victims of domestic violence are more likely than other women to be unemployed, to suffer from health problems that can affect employability and job performance and to rely on government services. The need for this program emerged in response to the reality that our clients are often poorly prepared for the work force. Safe-sufficient families need a paycheck to cover living expenses on a regular basis. Mainstay's vision is to bridge the gap between crisis and opportunity by giving our clients the training and tools to start a career path that will lead to financial responsibility and self-sustainability.

<p>Mainstay Inc., which provides services to families affected by domestic violence, will be opening a restaurant called Dandelion in the coming weeks at 127 Fifth Ave. W. in Hendersonville. Its lone employee will be Robyn Painter. Painter will supervise six Mainstay clients working as interns. Working in the restaurant will allow Mainstay clients to develop an employment history and help them to transition back into the working world.</p><p> </p><p>What is your background in the culinary industry?</p><p>I received a bachelor's degree in health promotion and foods and nutrition from Appalachian State University. After graduating from ASU, I received an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts from AB Tech. I did my culinary externship at Mountain Aire Country Club in Burnsville. I went on to work as a chef at several area restaurants, including Mary Mills Coxe Inn, Cafe Laurie's and the Biltmore Estate. I also worked as a nutritionist for Henderson County's Women, Infant and Children program and WCCA's Head Start program. Most recently I was the director of nutritional services at a local health care facility.</p><p> </p><p>How did you first connect with Mainstay and Dandelion?</p><p>I've known several friends and family members who have done volunteer work at Mainstay. A member of Mainstay's board contacted me about possibly opening an eatery that would also serve as a training facility for Mainstay's work-ready clients. I met with the executive director, Tanya Blackford, and her team to consult about the project. I loved the idea of an on-the-job training program in a functional restaurant where I could share my love of food and inspire others to see the value of hard work and pursuing your passion, so I jumped right in. We have been working together for several months now, conceptualizing and planning the Dandelion.</p><p> </p><p>What kind of food can people expect at Dandelion?</p><p>Fresh, local, seasonal foods will be the highlight of our menu. We are planning on sourcing as much food as possible from local farmers and artisans. We will serve breakfast and lunch and will have salads, sandwiches, soup, wraps and baked goods available for patrons who want something to grab and go. Our menu will change according to what is seasonally available. We will also offer catering services, both on and off site.</p><p> </p><p>What will be your job responsibilities?</p><p>I will be responsible for creating the daily menu, ordering food and supplies and other day-to-day operations. The other piece of my job responsibilities will include working one-on-one with our interns to develop a training program that is specific to each individual and will optimize their time at the Dandelion — training them to have the skills and confidence to enter the work force.</p><p> </p><p>Dandelion won't be just a restaurant, correct?</p><p>The Dandelion will be an environmentally conscious, locally sourced eatery that is committed to helping Mainstay clients obtain the tools they need to find and secure lasting employment. Mainstay's mission is building safe, self-sufficient families through services and shelter. Mainstay's case managers and I will work hand-in-hand with clients to provide on-the-job training to women whose lives' have been affected by domestic violence. Our goal is to ultimately increase the number of safe, self-sufficient families in our community.</p><p> </p><p>How important is this service that Mainstay will provide?</p><p>Research shows that victims of domestic violence are more likely than other women to be unemployed, to suffer from health problems that can affect employability and job performance and to rely on government services. The need for this program emerged in response to the reality that our clients are often poorly prepared for the work force. Safe-sufficient families need a paycheck to cover living expenses on a regular basis. Mainstay's vision is to bridge the gap between crisis and opportunity by giving our clients the training and tools to start a career path that will lead to financial responsibility and self-sustainability.</p>